TOLL LANES DEBUT IN LA

posted by Gloria Ohland | 245mp
November 12, 2012

LA County's first toll lanes opened this past weekend on what used to be carpool lanes along an 11-mile stretch of the 110 freeway from Adams Boulevard south of downtown LA to the Harbor Gateway Transit Center near the 91 freeway. Tolls vary from a quarter to $1.40 per mile, depending on demand, but the average toll will be between $4-$7 or could be as much as $15.40.

Clearly there is demand: Metro officials have already issued 30,000 transponders -- which you need to use the lanes and which can be purchased on line at http://www.metroexpresslanes.net or at walk-in centers in El Monte and Gardena. They cost $40 but the money can be used toward fares.

The lanes are part of a 1-year federal demonstration project that also includes toll lanes on 14 miles of the 10 freeway between Union Station and the 605 due to open early next year.